Would you back standing at St James’ Park? Vote now!

A return to the good old days?
Over the last few days I’ve noticed a few different articles cropping up about reintroducing standing areas to Premier League grounds.

None of them have been particularly Newcastle United orientated to be honest, but it has got me thinking. If it was ever allowed again, would you back a standing area at St James’ Park? I know for definite that I’d back any campaign to reintroduce standing areas at matches, but I just wondered how the rest of you NUFC blog readers felt about it?

Despite the tales of woe from my medical yesterday, where it appears that I am close to dying, this is an area where my age will be of benefit as I can remember, just, when standing in grounds used to be the norm. The atmosphere used to be immense and you really felt part of proceedings as you were pushed and pulled about by the swell of the crowd. I guess the closest that I have been to that experience recently was Peterborough away last season as they still have terracing at the away end of the ground.

Personally, I don’t think you can beat standing at a football match. If you go away from home it’s what tends to happen anyway, and nobody ever really gets hurt. It’s health and safety gone mad in some cases, which reminds me actually, I got told off for closing a door the other day because I hadn’t been trained how to do so and it contravened health and safety regulations. Madness!

Anyway, back on topic, I fail to see how reintroducing a standing area would be a bad thing. For a start you would be able to get more people into a certain area of the ground which would increase capacity, and the fact that you would be standing should, theoretically anyway, reduce ticket prices. After all, it should be cheaper to stand surely?

It would also increase the atmosphere within the ground in my opinion. It always used to anyway, and it’s a very valid point at the moment given that the singing section is to be moved. It’s a win-win from me, although unfortunately I don’t make the rules so I don’t have much influence on any decision.

I understand that this is more of a broader football issue, but with very little going on at NUFC right now we may as well discuss it. The movement is growing for standing to be allowed within grounds, although obviously it will have to be done safely and with the welfare of people as the primary objective.

People will point towards disasters such as Hillsborough and will say that standing will just lead to more accidents of that nature. The thing is, that accident was caused by people surging in without an escape route for those at the front. These days there are no fences at the front of the stands so that won’t be an issue and the crowd control is much more sophisticated than it was back then so numbers of fans can be monitored much easier.

Imagine the Gallowgate back to how it was, but better, with a roof to keep you dry this time and no open air **** troughs to think about. Imagine the East Stand mortuary being injected with a bit of life. Anyway, you get my point.

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About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

142 thoughts on “Would you back standing at St James’ Park? Vote now!

  1. I went to Peterborough away, class atmosphere, really enjoyed it.

    It did seem dangerous at times looking back though – little kids at the front and that, when we scored it was madness.

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  2. Yeah, anything to stop sitting next to the fat coont at the match who shares your seat! 😈

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  3. It seems that when standing you generate a better atmosphere and get more hyped up, you feel more involved in the game and you get more enthusiastic about it, But like Andrew said, it is the safety issues that is the big down side to this, especially with children. 😥

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  4. It’s sort of moot for me since I don’t get to stand or sit or do anything when it comes to attending Prem games. Although, there are times when I am standing/jumping in my living room celebrating/complaining to the TV.

    Perhaps you could put age restrictions on who’s allowed to be in the standing section? Seems like it would be a fun affair, but I think for the wee lads and lasses, it may be better to keep them out. Just a thought.

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  5. Tell, you what, just noticing on the tele, the noise volumes at St James don’t seem to be anything like they used to… so ye, I’d bring standing in…
    But what I’d do is allocate, kinda “stools” or long chairs for the dirty minded for spectators to lean againt. That’d control it a bit.
    Also agree with Norcal. There should be a no u-16 age restriction of something like that.
    Not only will it keep the little kids safe but will keep that young chavs out too.

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  6. We desperately need a win this weekend. If we win this one, and get a draw against Blackpool, I’d say we can breathe easy.
    Having Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea in the last few games, means we have to pick up the points now…

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  7. Thing is tho JJ I wouldnt be surprised if we lost to Wolves Blackpool but beat liverpool Man U n Chelsea…been that sort of season for us 😉

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  8. I used to be regular in the West Stand Leazes Paddock, standing room only and completley safe, lovely and warm too and better than freezing your nads off in the seats.
    Think it would work with both standing areas and seating and would definitely create a better atmosphere.

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  9. These next two fixtures are vital:
    We hold a four point gap over West Ham and Wolves, and a six point gap over Wigan.

    The next two fixtures are as follows:
    West Ham vs Man United (h)
    West Ham vs Bolton (a)

    Newcastle vs Wolves (h)
    Newcastle vs Aston Villa (a)

    Wigan vs Tottenham (h)
    Wigan vs Chelsea (a)

    Wolves vs Newcastle (a)
    Wolves vs Everton (h)

    If we beat Wolves, I’d expect WH and Wigan to lose both their next games, and Wolves to get at best one from their next.

    That would mean, four points from our next two would open up a gap of 8 points over Wolves and WH and about 9 over Wigan with just six games left.

    If you factor in our goal difference, that would mean they’d all have to make up, nine points from six games which is three wins if we don’t pick up another point!

    So to me, 40 points would equate to 41 which would mean safety.

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  10. Sounds like a great idea. I’d support standing areas for any stadium. We spend half the dang time standing and cheerin’ anyway. Besides, with no chairs, there’s less likelihood that I’ll trip, bust my knee, and more importantly, spill the $15 beer I just stood in line for 20 min to buy lol

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  11. I’ve never really experienced it apart from Peterborough away and like Andrew said it was good but at times dangerous.

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  12. @bobby
    Aye bobby it used to be warmer alright! Somebody pissing up your leg cos it was too difficult to get to the bog!
    I went during the 80’s and I can say seating is far better than standing.
    You end up trying to dodge the back of someone’s napper just to see the game. You are that close to each other you can smell their B.O.
    It’s ****.

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  13. I dont really see the point, we have the singing corner and everyone just stands anyways. Even if the club do change it the people who were there will just find somewhere else to stand and sing.

    Maybe we could just have a certain part of the ground standing so people who want to stand can. I do agree it creates a better atmosphere but we already have the singing corner and everyone stands even with seats there.

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  14. Never went to the toilets like!

    Just remember getting there and the turnstiles were like a backdoor to someones house 🙄

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  15. I thought it was a great laugh Peterborough but for kids it must have been scary with all the pushing and that. When Barton scored I dont even know where I ended up 😆

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  16. Andrew, I remember standing there saying to you imagine if Barton scores in front of us 😆

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  17. Been revived in bundesliga nee probs, Cannot see why the FA are against it but i shouldnt be surprised by owt the FA do… 🙄

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  18. CC – True, and the gates at German games show that it works. No reason for there not to be at least some part standing.

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  19. The majority of news now is the same article cut and pasted onto random websites, Seeing as you do bother writing your own stuff it would seem a bit harsh if they turned ya away… 😉

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  20. We wait, and see 🙂

    All they can say is no, and if they do I’ll give it a month or so and try again. I’ll be pissed off as others got on much quicker, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Not getting my hopes up.

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  21. CC – I agree, but they’ve done it once. They won’t be able to use the lack of history excuse this time though. Averaging four articles a day over nearly months isn’t bad going 😉

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  22. Just bought mcdonalds autobiography off amazon for 1p, Best not tell him there selling that well or he’ll be back on the ****… 😆

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  23. Jobey – Pretty much yes. It’s the biggest news syndicator out there and gives blogs the majority of hits.

    In a way I’m glad I waited so long again as it’s given us the time to iron everything out and concentrate on other areas of promotion first. With Newsnow there is a tendency to think that a site has made, but really that is just the tip of the iceberg.

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  24. Judas 😆

    I’ve just chucked one of his articles at Soccerlens before I put it on here 🙂

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  25. Had some great days standing in the away end, but prefer sitting now…boring old tart… 😥

    The Germans have it right, standing is allowed, though segregation is still required, and there are some really radged fans, Dortmund, Nürnberg, Frankfurt, Schalke, Stuttgart…all love creating a super atmosphere. Here’s my favourite from Germany…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHas38WdhP0

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  26. Dave – You get the full d/l link?

    MM – Not today. Back in work tonight. Finding it tough to be honest. Last night was the first sickie I’ve pulled since I was a borderline alcoholic, but I just can’t get motivated as I know I’m off soon 😕

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  27. Jobey – 2,3,4 weeks maybe. Waiting on some bits of paper to come through which could take a few weeks. Once they are through I’ll get a start date and a week later I’ll be off.

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  28. Basically it’s closer to home, slightly less money but with more chance of earning more, better hours (not nights all he time) etc etc

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  29. 😆 Its in a Ghost Train but he doesn’t start till the summer season 😉 Sorry Toonsy I know I said I wouldn’t tell but I just dont see why you keep it a secret ? its not as if someone would be better qualified than you 😀

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  30. nah i reckon he’s just recieved a permit to dress up in all gold or silver and stand still on the streets

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  31. toonsy..retain your professional integrity until you leave mate….you never know what the future brings, burning bridges and all that…

    or there again you could take long lunches and come back pissed and lie around like a loppy dog… 😆 😆

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  32. two small girls 8 and 11 found brutally murdered in the neighbouring village….oh ****…totally unheard of this kind of ****… 😥 😥 😥

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  33. Munich – My shoes are nearly worn out I’ve done that much wandering about since I knew I was going 😆

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  34. I just had a go on a wii fit i bought the missus. Dunno if it’s too accurate whilst necking cider though

    Like to see him keep his balance after a few cans the cheeky tw*t !

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  35. toonsy….try pocket billiards, also good fun… 🙄 …

    we’re probably gonna get less blog articles from you when you start your new job and need to work for a living 😆 😆 …smarming with the bosses for at least the first month, get’s you a long way mate 😆

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  36. DAN i hear org are after a writer, the last decent writer they had fooked off and started his own blog 😉

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